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Fujiwara no Fuhito

Fujiwara no Fuhito (藤原不比等: 659–720) was a powerful member of the imperial court of Japan during the Asuka and Nara periods. Second son of Fujiwara no Kamatari (or, according to one theory, of Emperor Tenji), he had sons by two women, and those sons were the founders of the four principal lineages of the Fujiwara clan: the South, North, Ceremonial, and Capital lineages. Also, he had four daughters by two other women. three by Kamohime, one by Tachibana no Michiyo. One daughter by Kamohime became Emperor Mommu's wife Miyako, who in turn gave birth to Emperor Shōmu. The daughter by Michiyo became the empress of Shomu.

During the reign of Emperor Mommu, the government ordered that only the descendants of Fuhito could bear the Fujiwara surname and was able to be appointed in the Office of Daijokan, the center of administratives.

Fuhito was 13 years old, when Jinshin incident occurred. His father Kamatari had been one of strong supporter of the Emperor Tenji , but Kamatari had already died and Fuhito was too young to be appointed a governmental officer, he wasn't involved into this political conflicts. In 688 he appeard first as a coutier.

In 697 Prince Karu, the son of Prince Kusakabe and therefore grandson of the emperor Temmu and the empress Jito, was appointed to the crown prince. Fuhito supported this appointment strongly and got the favor of the empress Jito. Since then his promotion in the court began. In 701 Prince Obito, later the emperor Shomu was born by Miyako. He succeeded to make Obito the crown prince and made his another daughter a wife of Obito. Until then only a royal lady could be promoted to the empress, but he succeeded his daughter the empress of Obito, the emperor Shomu. It was the first empress who didn't derive from the imperial household.

He moved Yamashina-dera, the Buddhist temple which was the main temple his clan supported, to Nara and renamed it Kofuku-ji. After his death, Kasuga shrine , the main temple of the Fujiwara clan was settled near to Kofuku-ji in 768.

He participated in the edition of state law, called Taiho ritsuyo. He also join its revision, Yoryo ritsuryo but before its finish, he died in the summer of 720. When he died, he was appointed Udaijin, one of ministers.

After his death the court honored him with two titles 文忠公(Bunchu Ko) and 淡海公(Omi Ko, Lord of Omi) and with the office of Daijodaijin, the highest office of the court.

Last updated: 10-23-2005 13:54:17
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